Veterans Nani, Silva, Quaresma Dropped As Ronaldo Makes Portugal Squad

23rd May 2019

Highly-tipped Benfica uncapped youngster Joao Felix is also included alongside three other club teammates who won the Portugese league this season

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo is attended by doctors during the Euro 2020 qualifying group B football match between Portugal and Serbia at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on March 25, 2019. PHOTO/AFP
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo is attended by doctors during the Euro 2020 qualifying group B football match between Portugal and Serbia at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on March 25, 2019. PHOTO/AFP
SUMMARY
  • Ronaldo, 34, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the group stages preferring to try and adapt to life in Juventus since moving from Real Madrid
  • Head coach Fernando Santos has chosen not to call up veterans Adrien Silva, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and Sevilla forward Andre Silva misses out with a knee injury

OEIRAS, Portugal- Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was included in Portugal's squad for next month's Nations League semi-final against Switzerland, head coach Fernando Santos announced on Thursday.

Ronaldo, 34, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the group stages preferring to try and adapt to life in Juventus since moving from Real Madrid.

The Euro 2016 champions welcome the Swiss on June 5 in Porto and the Netherlands play England in Guimaraes a day later before a third place play-off and a final on June 9.

He lifted the Serie A title with his Italian club this season but failed to clinch a third straight Champions League after losing to Ajax in the quarter-finals.

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Head coach Fernando Santos has chosen not to call up veterans Adrien Silva, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and Sevilla forward Andre Silva misses out with a knee injury.

Highly-tipped Benfica uncapped youngster Joao Felix is also included alongside three other club teammates who won the Portugese league this season.

Portugal squad to face Switzerland on June 5 in the Nations League semi-finals:

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Goalkeepers: Beto (Goztepe/TUR), Jose Sa (Olympiakos/GRE), Rui Patricio (Wolves/ENG)

Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Juventus/ITA), Jose Fonte (Lille/FRA), Pepe (Porto/POR), Mario Rui (Naples/ITA), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona/ESP), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Ruben Dias (Benfica/POR)

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Danilo Pereira (Porto/POR), Joao Moutinho (Wolves/ENG), Pizzi (Benfica/POR), Ruben Neves (Wolves/ENG), William Carvalho (Real Betis/ESP), Joao Felix (Benfica/POR)

Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia/ESP), Rafa Silva (Benfica/POR), Dyego Sousa (Sporting Braga/POR), Diogo Jota (Wolves/ENG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/ITA)